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Alpenglow Biosciences Announces AACR 2025 Dinner Lecture: "Decoding Endometrial Cancers: A Spatial Biology Odyssey in 2D and 3D"

On April 8, 2025 Alpenglow Biosciences reported its upcoming Dinner Lecture during the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2025 (Press release, Alpenglow Biosciences, APR 8, 2025, View Source [SID1234651842]). The event, titled "Decoding Endometrial Cancers: A Spatial Biology Odyssey in 2D and 3D," is scheduled for April 27, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Mercat a la Planxa, 638 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605.

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The evening will feature a keynote address by Dr. Sammy Ferri-Borgogno, B.S., M.S., Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Gynecologic Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center where she is studying immune landscapes and signaling in the ovarian tumor microenvironment.

Dr. Ferri-Borgogno earned her MSc in Medical Biotechnology from the University of Turin, where she investigated alpha-enolase in pancreatic cancer, and later integrated -omics and immunology in her PhD research. Her postdoctoral work focused on epigenetic regulators in pancreatic cancer and stromal-immune interactions in ovarian cancer. Currently, she employs advanced spatial technologies to identify biomarkers linked to chemoresistance and novel therapeutic targets in ovarian cancer treatment.

"I’m honored to have Dr. Ferri-Borgogno join us as our keynote speaker," said Nick Reder, MD, MPH, CEO and Founder of Alpenglow Biosciences. "Her work in spatial biology and cancer research is groundbreaking and aligns perfectly with our mission to advance cancer research through cutting-edge imaging technology. We’re thrilled to welcome her for what promises to be an inspiring evening."

The Dinner Lecture is complimentary for attendees from pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic institutions.

RSVP is required and can be completed through the following link: View Source;

In addition to the Dinner Lecture, Alpenglow Biosciences will be available for one-on-one meetings during the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2025.

To schedule a slot, please visit: View Source

Cancer-fighting implant shows promise in treating melanoma, pancreatic and colorectal tumors

On April 8, 2025 A team of researchers from the Rice Biotech Launch Pad at Rice University reported it has developed an implantable "cytokine factory" that safely triggers potent immune responses against hard-to-treat cancers, including metastatic melanoma, pancreatic and colorectal tumors (Press release, Rice University, APR 8, 2025, View Source [SID1234651841]).

The study, published in The Journal of ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, details how an immunoprotected device near the tumor microenvironment containing cells engineered to locally release interleukin-12 (IL-12) — an "IL-12 cytokine factory" — successfully induces the recruitment of specialized immune cells called precursor exhausted T cells (Tpex cells). This Tpex cell recruitment results in a large, durable population of tumor-targeting T cells with broad molecular profiles, both in isolation and in an enhanced manner when implemented in combination with other immunotherapy approaches.

The IL-12 cytokine factories in combination with checkpoint inhibitors successfully eliminated local and distal tumors in preclinical models of metastatic melanoma and colorectal and pancreatic cancers. In addition to this robust efficacy signal, the IL-12 cytokine factory demonstrated safety in both mouse and nonhuman primate models.

This published research will serve as the foundation for an investigational new drug application (IND) with the U.S. FDA in early 2026, and RBL LLC expects to launch an emerging biotech company centered on the groundbreaking IL-12 cytokine factory technology.

"We designed the IL-12 cytokine factory to enhance immunotherapy approaches while minimizing toxicity, a critical need in the treatment of particularly aggressive cancers," said Omid Veiseh, professor of bioengineering, faculty director of the Rice Biotech Launch Pad and senior corresponding author of the publication. "IL-12 is particularly impactful compared to other cytokines, as our research demonstrates that other cytokines primarily recruit homogeneous T cell populations and show reduced efficacy over time, while IL-12 generates a more robust antitumor response by recruiting a more durable, broader repertoire of tumor-targeting T cells.

"We are incredibly grateful to ARPA-H for their support in advancing this groundbreaking project and are hopeful that this technology will significantly impact the lives of cancer patients by enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy approaches in the clinic."

"Harnessing the cellular immune system to target solid tumors is a common but often fraught approach to fighting cancer as the associated challenge of efficacious treatment without toxicity remains elusive," said Nathan Reticker-Flynn, assistant professor of otolaryngology at Stanford University. "Our study demonstrates not only the efficacy of this technology in preclinical models but also its safety profile, which is a critical aspect as we move toward clinical trials. This research represents an important step forward in the quest to provide more effective treatments for patients battling metastatic cancers."

The research was supported through an Avenge Bio Sponsored Research Award to Rice, the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (RR160047), the National Institutes of Health (R01CA272769, DP2 AI177915) and ARPA-H (AY1AX000003). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the funding institutions.

Full Publication Details:

Title: IL-12-producing cytokine factories induce precursor exhausted T cells and elimination of primary and metastatic tumors

Journal: The Journal of ImmunoTherapy of Cancer

Corresponding Authors: Omid Veiseh

Full Author List: Amanda M. Nash, Jonathon DeBonis, Danna Murungi, Bertha Castillo, Boram Kim, Fangheng Hu, Courtney Chambers, Annie Nguyen, Andrea Hernandez, Zeshi Wang, Peter D. Rios, Sofia Ghani, Ira Joshi, Douglas Isa, Ningbo Zheng, Weiyi Peng, Oleg A. Igoshin, Jose Oberholzer, H. Courtney Hodges, Nathan Reticker-Flynn and Omid Veiseh

TuHURA Biosciences, Inc. Announces Abstracts Accepted for Poster Presentation at the 2025 AACR Annual Meeting

On April 8, 2025 TuHURA Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:HURA) ("TuHURA"), a Phase 3 immune-oncology company developing novel technologies to overcome resistance to cancer immunotherapy, reported that an abstract highlighting Kineta Inc.’s novel KVA12123 antibody and an abstract from Moffitt Cancer Center scientists examining the mechanisms of Company’s IFx-Hu2.0 therapy in advanced melanoma have been selected for poster presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2025, taking place April 25-30, 2025, at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, IL (Press release, TuHURA Biosciences, APR 8, 2025, View Source [SID1234651840]).

Details of the accepted abstracts are as follows:

Title: Initial results from a first in human phase 1 study of KVA12123, an anti-VISTA antibody, alone and in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced solid tumors
Track: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics
Session: PO.CT01.03 – Phase 0 and Phase I Clinical Trials
Abstract Number: CT041/ 20
Presenter: Thierry Guillaudeux, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Kineta
Date and Time: April 28, 2025, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET
Location: Section 29

Title: Mechanistic insights into IFx-Hu2.0 responses in the first human trial after prior anti-PD-1 therapy failure
Track: Immunology
Session: PO.IM01.07 – Enhanced Antibodies, TCR Constructs, Cytokines and Chimeric Proteins
Abstract Number: 3428 / 23
Presenter: Joseph Markowitz, M.D., Ph.D.
Date and Time: April 28, 2025, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET
Location: Section 35

For more and to view the abstract, visit the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting website.

As previously announced, on December 11, 2024, TuHURA entered into a definitive agreement with Kineta, Inc. (OTC Pink: KANT) ("Kineta"), in which TuHURA would acquire Kineta, including the rights to Kineta’s novel KVA12123 antibody, for a combination of cash and shares of TuHURA common stock via a merger transaction. The merger is currently targeted to close in Q2 2025 pending the satisfaction of funding conditions and other closing conditions.

SciTech Development Announces 2nd FDA Approval of a Phase 1 a/b IND For ST-001. New IND Targets the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Small Cell Lung Cancer Following Its Previous Approval in the Treatment of T-Cell NHL

On April 8, 2025 SciTech Development, Inc., a clinical-stage oncology company pioneering innovative cancer therapeutics, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for "A Phase 1a/b Trial in Relapsed/Refractory Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) to Determine the Safety Profile, Pharmacology, and Maximum Tolerated Dose of ST-001, a Fenretinide Phospholipid Suspension for Intravenous Infusion (Press release, SciTech Development, APR 8, 2025, View Source [SID1234651839])." This milestone greenlights SciTech to begin recruiting patients and initiates another Phase 1a/b clinical trial of ST-001, a novel nanoparticle drug designed to deliver fenretinide effectively to cancer cells.

The FDA’s approval follows a thorough safety review, with the agency stating, "We have completed our safety review of your application and have concluded that you may proceed with your proposed clinical investigation of fenretinide phospholipid suspension (ST-001) for small cell lung cancer." This decision marks a significant step forward in SciTech’s mission to address unmet needs in oncology, particularly for patients with relapsed or refractory SCLC, a notoriously aggressive disease with limited treatment options.

Leading the trial, as Principal Investigator, is Greg Kalemkerian, MD, a renowned thoracic oncologist at the University of Michigan. "Small cell lung cancer remains a formidable challenge with few effective therapies for patients who relapse or don’t respond to initial treatment," said Dr. Kalemkerian. "ST-001 represents a promising approach, and I’m excited to oversee this trial to evaluate its safety and potential for SCLC patients who desperately need new options."

ST-001 nanoFenretinide leverages SciTech’s patented drug delivery platform to overcome fenretinide’s historical bioavailability challenges, delivering high doses intravenously with enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity. The Phase 1a/b trial will assess the drug’s safety, pharmacology, and maximum tolerated dose, paving the way for further development in SCLC and potentially other cancers.

Building on prior success in a Phase 1a trial for T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma – where ST-001 demonstrated favorable pharmacokinetics and early signs of efficacy – SciTech is preparing to launch the SCLC trial in Q2/3 2025. The company anticipates that this trial will further validate the drug’s broad therapeutic potential.

"We are thrilled about the FDA’s approval of our IND for ST-001 in SCLC," said Earle T. Holsapple, CEO of SciTech Development. "This is a pivotal moment that brings us closer to offering a transformative treatment option for patients facing this devastating disease. "Our team’s dedication to advancing ST-001’s potential through innovative nanotechnology is showing promising results, and we’re eager to see its impact in the clinic."

Vincerx Pharma Announces Termination of Letter of Intent and Board Authorization to Pursue Wind-Down Activities

On April 8, 2025 Vincerx Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: VINC) reported that it has terminated the previously reported non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with Global Digital Holdings Inc., conducting business as QumulusAI, regarding a potential merger (Press release, Vincerx Pharma, APR 8, 2025, View Source [SID1234651838]).

Following this decision, the Company’s board of directors has authorized management to initiate wind-down activities and continue exploring monetization of assets and out-licensing opportunities.

"I want to express our deepest gratitude to the investigators, patients, employees, and partners who have supported Vincerx’s mission," said Raquel Izumi, Ph.D., Acting Chief Executive Officer of Vincerx. "Your contributions have meant everything. Although unprecedented, adverse market dynamics prevented us from continuing the development of our programs, numerous patients with cancer—who had few therapeutic options—benefited from our therapies in the Phase 1 trials. For the chance you gave us to help those patients, we thank you."